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MEDIA RELEASE

AGENCY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GAUTENG PHRA AND SAHRA

The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) wishes to congratulate the Gauteng Provincial Heritage Resources Authority (GPHRA) under the leadership of Mr Phil Mashabane who chairs the GPRA Council for ensuring that all heritage resources in Gauteng are protected.

SAHRA wishes to inform the public, including heritage workers in archaeology, burial grounds and graves, national, provincial and local government departments and developers, that the Gauteng Heritage Resources Authority (GPHRA) has signed an agreement with the South African Heritage Resources Agency to act as an agent and perform certain functions on behalf of the GHRA in accordance with Section 8(6)(b) of the National heritage Resources Act (NHRA). Currently the Gauteng Heritage Resources Authority does not have the capacity to carry out these functions.

This Agreement is applicable to the following provisions of the NHRA and it applies to the Gauteng Province only:

Section 35: Archaeology, Palaeontology and Meteorites

This section confers general protection to the material remains of human activity at places older than 100 years, rock art, fossils, trace fossils and meteorites and requires that a permit is acquired for any disturbance of such heritage resources.

As indicated in the Act:
S.35 (4) No person may, without a permit issued by SAHRA:

Destroy, damage, excavate, alter, deface or otherwise disturb any archaeological or palaeontological site or any meteorite;

  • Destroy, damage, excavate, remove from its original position, collect or own any archaeological or palaeontological material or object or any meteorite;
  • Trade in, sell for private gain, export or attempt to export from the Republic any category of archaeological or palaeontological material or object, or any meteorite; or
  • Bring onto or use at an archaeological or palaeontological site any excavation equipment or any equipment which assist in the detection or recovery of metals or archaeological and palaeontological material or objects, or use such equipment for the recovery of meteorites . Section 36: Burial Grounds and Graves

    This section confers protection on graves of victims of conflict and graves older than 60 years that are outside a formal cemetery.

    • No person may, without a permit issued by SAHRA or a provincial heritage resources authority
    • Destroy, damage, alter, exhume or remove from its original position or otherwise disturb the grave of a victim of conflict, or any burial ground or part thereof which contains such graves;
    • Destroy, damage, alter, exhume, remove from its original position or otherwise disturb any grave or burial ground older than 60 years which is situated outside a formal cemetery administered by a local authority; or
    • Bring onto or use at a burial ground or grave referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) any excavation equipment, or any equipment which assists in the detection or recovery of metals.

    Section 37: Public Monuments and Memorials

    Public monuments may not be altered, damaged or removed without approval from SAHRA. Anyone who intends establishing a monument or memorial must consult with SAHRA.

    Section 38: Heritage Resources Management

    Any person who intends to undertake a development that may impact on any of the above categories must contact SAHRA as there may be a need to conduct a heritage impact assessment (HIA).

    You may e-mail your suggestions and comments to the CEO of SAHRA on info@sahra.org.za

    From: South African Heritage Resources Agency
    Contact: Mr T. Kgommommu Gauteng Provincial Manager
    “Northwards”
    21 Rockridge Road
    PARKTOWN
    2194

    E-mail: info@sahra.org.za